Broken Wand Ceremony

I.B.M. MEMORIAL SERVICE

For A Deceased Member of The International Brotherhood of Magicians

The following ceremony is presented as an interfaith service suitable for most of the diverse and worldwide membership of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. You may find the following ceremony suitable as written, but if it does not fit your own spiritual belief, or those of the deceased, please consider it a template and take liberty to amend the ceremony as appropriate.

NON-THEIST VERSION:

After the regular version of the Broken Wand Ceremony below, there is a non-theist version for your consideration.

EXPRESS SYMPATHY:

Upon the death of a Ring member, it is important that the Ring express their sympathy and concern for the family of the deceased as soon as possible. Visitations, funerals, and memorial services often are held within a few days of a death. Don't wait very long or you might miss the opportunity to do something that the family would appreciate.

The Secretary or some officer should send an appropriate card of sympathy from the Ring; however, Ring members should be notified as soon as possible, so that those members who wish to express their sympathy in their own way and/or attend the memorial or funeral service or visitation may do so if such services or events are open to other than the family.

IF BROKEN WAND REQUESTED:

A family member may request that the Broken Wand Ceremony be conducted by the Ring. It may also be possible that the deceased member earlier had expressed his or her desire for such a service to another member before their passing. This may be mentioned to the family; however, no aggressive efforts should ever be made by the Ring to the family for such a service. Simply make it known that such a service is available, and offer it to the family.

WHEN TO DO CEREMONY:

If a Broken Wand Ceremony is requested, it should take place prior to any service by a clergyman (in all fraternal/social organizations, their service precedes the formal religious service). This is often done at the funeral home or visitation site the night before or at some appropriate time prior to the religious ceremony.

WHO SHOULD CONDUCT CEREMONY?

Each Ring should have one or two members who are acquainted with the wording of the Broken Wand Ceremony. They should be confident and well-spoken, and be able to express the thoughts and prayers of the International Brotherhood of Magicians to the family and friends of the deceased.

PRACTICE:

Any person reading the service should practice it so that they will be familiar with all the words. It should not be hurried or presented in a haphazard way. It is not a performance but a service to be presented with the dignity and sense of importance the occasion deserves. The death of members of the I.B.M. and Ring members should be acknowledged with humility, dignity and a sense of importance. Most often the Ring of which the deceased was a member will serve as the focal point for the recognition of the individuals' life and his passing.

WAND:

The wand used should be one supplied by the family or by the local Ring prior to the service. It should be fine-sawed part way through so the break when made is not clumsy or unable to be made.

ALTERNATIVE TIME:

If the family chooses not to have a Broken Wand Ceremony as part of its visitation or service, one may still be conducted at a local Ring meeting as a memorial or as a thanksgiving. In that case, it should be done at the beginning or end of the meeting as a celebration of the individual's life. If such a service is not held there should at least be a moment of silence at the Ring meeting for that purpose.

NOTIFY THE I.B.M. OF DEATH:

The Ring Secretary or other designated individual should notify the I.B.M. Office (Headquarters) as soon as possible, at office@magician.org. They, in turn, will notify The Linking Ring and the Broken Wand editors. Please include the date of death and links to a newspaper and/or funeral home obituary. Also include an e-mail for a family member who may be contacted for more information.

ADAPTABLE:

All of these guidelines are meant to be suggestions only. They should be considered as flexible and adaptable to fit individual situations.

THE BROKEN WAND CEREMONY

We are gathered together in the name of God and to commemorate with thanksgiving the life of (full name of deceased) who was a member of The International Brotherhood of Magicians. (First name), as a member of our great fraternity was linked in fellowship with magicians all over the world and (his/her) interest, activity and skill of performing magic was enjoyed by those who were privileged to share (his/her) friendship.

We of the Brotherhood offer this time as commemoration for (his/her) life and express our sympathy, prayers and hope in the power of life eternal to (his/her) loved ones.

(Display The Wand)

The wand in story and symbol is an ancient conjuring representation of mystery. To the uninitiated, it is but a piece of wood. To our late member it was a reminder to (him/her) of the joy and pleasure of an entertainment art that has existed since ancient times. This symbol was for our departed member an historic emblem like that old illusion called the Linking Rings, it linked (him/her) with others of like mind and heart in this vast magic fraternity. This wand without (name) is now useless. The magic that infused itself into the life of performing on this earth is now broken and joined with the magic of the eternal.

(The wand may be now broken by the person conducting the service or by a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians appointed to do so).

The magic of earth is over. The magic and mystery of another realm awaits (him/her) and will be revealed.

May God bless the life of (name). May we now have a moment of silence offering our prayers for (name), each in our own way, and for (his/her) loved ones that they may continue in faith and hope.

(A Period Of Silence)

It is now my privilege to offer this prayer for the repose of the soul of (name) who was born into the world (date) and departed this life (date). We, who are members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, extend to the family and (his/her) loved ones our sympathy, fellowship and thanksgiving for his life. Let us pray. . .

O Divine Master of all mystery, who in wisdom and skill didst create and design all that is visible and invisible. Thou hast instilled within us the talent to amaze, mystify and entertain. We acknowledge Thy gift to us and your supreme power as the only true and lasting reality from whom we gain inner strength, comfort and peace. Teach us who are members of this ancient theatrical craft to use our earthly skills, dexterity of hands and voice to bring happiness and awe to those for whom we conjure our pleasant and benign wonders. Make us always humble and aware that our imperfect mysteries and illusions are nothing but an imitation of a higher magic unfathomed by mortal man. We acknowledge Thee, O God, as the Divine Architect of all talent and source of inspiration. From Thy throne flows the purest magic within all the force of life itself. We offer our thanks for the good spirit of mystery that has filled the lives of our past members and though, like theirs, our wand be one day broken and the spell of our efforts on earth to bring smiles of amazement be stilled; yet, shall we stand in wonder of ourselves. Receive, we beseech thee, our prayers for the soul of Thy servant (name), a departed member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. May (he/she) enter into the land of light and joy. Grant that one day we shall meet again in fellowship where no trickery abounds and share the magic of divine love in that house not made with hands-eternal in the heavens. This we pray in His Holy Name while standing upon the transitory stage of life. AMEN. (Conclusion) Let us go forth into the world of peace. AMEN.

THE BROKEN WAND CEREMONY (Non-Theist version)

We are gathered together as family, friends and members of this wonderful fraternity to celebrate the life of (full name of deceased) who was a member of The International Brotherhood of Magicians. (First name), as a member, was linked in fellowship with magicians all over the world and (his/her) interest, activity and skill of performing magic was enjoyed by those who were privileged to share (his/her) friendship.

We of the Brotherhood offer this time as commemoration for (his/her) life and express our sympathy to the people to whom (he / she) who was close. Let us be honest. Let us not pretend that it is less than it is. It is separation. It is sorrow. It is grief. But let us neither pretend that death is more than it is. It is not annihilation. As long as memory endures, (his/her) influence will be felt. Let us be honest with death, for in that honesty we will understand (name) better and ourselves more deeply.

(Display the Wand)

The wand in story and symbol is an ancient conjuring representation of mystery. To the uninitiated, it is but a piece of wood. To our late member it was a reminder to (him/her) of the joy and pleasure of an entertainment art that has existed since ancient times. This symbol was for our departed member an historic emblem like that old illusion called the Linking Rings; it linked (him/her) with others of like mind and heart in this vast magic fraternity. This wand without (name) is now useless. The magic that infused itself into the life of performing on this earth is now broken as we bid farewell when our loved one encounters mortality.

(The wand may be now broken by the person conducting the service or by a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians appointed to do so).

The magic of (his / her) performance is over. The magic and mystery that he shared will remain in our memory as commemoration of (his / her) life.

No one entering this world can ever escape sadness. Each in turn must bear burdens, both rich and poor, and in turn, bid loved ones farewell. Each one must suffer that sad goodbye when loved ones come to that final moment, that each in turn must face. But for those who make this life a pledge to the human spirit, there comes the assurance of a memory that made life worth living.

(A Period of Silence)

It is my privilege to present this memorial for (name) who was born into the world (date) and departed this life (date).

(At this point some of the person’s achievements, successes, innovations and / or contributions to magic and society can be mentioned.)

We, who are members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, extend to the family and (his / her) loved ones our sympathy, fellowship and gratitude for his / her life and companionship. He / She was endowed with the talent to amaze, mystify and entertain. May we, like (Name), members of this ancient theatrical craft, use our skills, dexterity of hands and voice to bring happiness and awe to those for whom we conjure our pleasant and benign wonders. Let us also appreciate the beauty and wonder of life that may be hard to find within its suffering, problems and setbacks.

May (Name) rest in peace and may his / her memories last long with those who enjoyed his / her love, his / her talent and his / her companionship.